Basic Concepts and Theories in the Study of Local Government (Pols 219)

Introduction

The study of local government is anchored on certain core concepts that explain how power, authority, and responsibilities are distributed within a political system. These concepts help us understand how governments manage complexity, ensure participation, and deliver services efficiently at the grassroots level. The most fundamental among them are decentralization, deconcentration, and devolution, alongside authority and administration.

Core Concepts in Local Government

Local government 

The major unavoidable concepts in the study of local government are:

1. Decentralization

2. Deconcentration

3. Devolution

4. Local Government

5. Authority

6. Administration

Understanding these concepts is essential for analyzing local government or any sub-political unit within a system of government.

Decentralization, Deconcentration, and Devolution

Decentralization

Decentralization is the opposite of centralization, which involves concentrating power at a single point or level of government. No modern state—regardless of its technological advancement—can effectively govern solely from its capital.

Decentralization 

In countries like Nigeria, governing entirely from Abuja is impractical. Hence, all political systems create subordinate administrative or political units to manage affairs closer to the people.

Decentralization applies not only to governments but also to formal organizations, describing how power and responsibilities are shared within their constitutional or organizational frameworks.

All forms of decentralization aim to promote:

• Efficiency
• Effectiveness
• Administrative penetration
• Popular participation in governance

The United Nations defines decentralization as the transfer of authority on a geographical basis through:

1. Deconcentration

2. Devolution

Decentralization therefore serves as an umbrella concept under which deconcentration and devolution operate.

Deconcentration

Deconcentration refers to the administrative delegation of authority from central government to its field offices or subordinate units.

Key features include:

• Limited authority: Subordinate units cannot initiate major policies without approval from higher authorities.
• Implementation focus: Their primary role is execution rather than policy formulation.
• Upward accountability: Field officials are accountable to the central authority, not the local population.

Deconcentration does not reduce central control; it merely redistributes administrative workload for efficiency.

Devolution

Devolution involves the transfer of both political and administrative powers to subordinate units, particularly local governments.

Key features include:

• Policy-making authority: Subordinate units can initiate and implement policies within their jurisdiction.
• Legal and political autonomy: Powers are often constitutionally or legally guaranteed.
• Downward accountability: Local authorities are accountable to the people they govern.

The British local government system is often cited as a classical example of devolution.

Key Distinctions and the Nigerian Context

While some scholars use deconcentration and devolution interchangeably, a clear distinction exists:

• Deconcentration emphasizes administrative convenience.
• Devolution emphasizes democratic self-government.

In practice, most countries operate a hybrid system combining both.

In Nigeria:

• Elements of both deconcentration and devolution have existed at different periods.
• The 1976 Local Government Reforms clearly recognized local government as a third tier of government, formally classifying it as an example of devolution.

Conclusion

Decentralization, deconcentration, and devolution are central to understanding how modern states manage governance beyond the center. While decentralization provides the general framework, deconcentration and devolution represent different degrees of power transfer. In Nigeria, the evolution of local government—especially since the 1976 reforms—demonstrates a deliberate attempt to promote grassroots participation through devolution, making local government a vital component of democratic governance.